Skopje, 10 July 2026 (MIA) - The government is already working on changes to the regulation governing imports of powdered milk and palm oil, while at the same time preparing measures to reduce dairy stockpiles and support domestic milk producers, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Friday in response to a reporter's question on whether the government plans to assist the sector.

According to Mickoski, the current problems in the dairy sector are the result of previous amendments to the regulations that eased the conditions for imports.

"The problem was created several years ago by the previous government through amendments to the regulation that lowered the criteria for imports of powdered milk and palm oil. That is the essence of it. This is where what is happening today originates," he told reporters at the press conference following the signing of the coalition agreement with the Democratic Party of Turks.

He noted that dairies are currently holding significant stockpiles, which is directly affecting their purchases of raw milk from farmers and putting downward pressure on procurement prices.

“There are warehouses full of products made from processed milk at the dairies. This is affecting the volume of milk they purchase from farmers and, naturally, it is driving prices down,” Mickoski noted.

He added that the situation is not unique to the country but is also affecting countries across the region. As part of the planned measures, he said, the government is working on introducing tighter criteria for imports of powdered milk and for the economic operators importing it, with protecting domestic producers as the top priority.

Mickoski also announced initiatives to promote contracts between milk producers and dairy processors, while seeking financial support from socially responsible companies to buy up surplus products currently stored in dairy warehouses.

He also noted that once the budget rebalance is completed, subsidies for 2025 will be paid out, stressing that the government is working to address problems inherited from the previous period.

Photo: MIA archive